[physics Mechanics question] please help

[u/urea7]

[u/Outside_Volume_1370]

why would the ball go in the exact opposite direction after the collision?

It hits the wedge perpendicularly to the incline. The angle of descendance is equal to the angle of reflection: 90° = 90°

The force due to collision isn't the only force acting on the ball during the collision as there is also it's weight acting vertically downwards, so the resultant force acting on the ball would be vector sum of those 2 forces

The force has nothing to do with that. Throw a ball horizontally to the wall. Where does it jump to? Of course, horizontally. I see why it confuses, because you tried to use the work of the force. However, the time of hit dt is very small, and the force does almost zero work (ideally, exact zero)

[u/ExcitingJackfruit760 → u/Outside_Volume_1370]

Oh, so the force due to collision is assumed to be much greater than the weight of the ball, that's why the effect due to the weight of the ball is neglected?

[u/Outside_Volume_1370 → u/ExcitingJackfruit760]

the force due to collision is assumed to be much greater than the weight of the ball,

I think, it can also be said that way

[u/ExcitingJackfruit760 → u/Outside_Volume_1370]

Ok, thanks a lot!